Teenager succumbs to injuries in Elsies River; Community outraged

The Elsies River Community Police Forum has expressed concern after a teenager succumbed to injuries in hospital after the boy was a victim of a shooting incident in Avonwood over the weekend.

SCREENSHOT

The police said the 13-year-old alongside a 17-year-old boy were shot in the neck and face.

‘’Elsies River police are investigating two counts of attempted murder following a shooting incident in Betty Street, Avonwood, in which two boys age 13 and 17 were shot and wounded on Saturday evening, 05 October 2024. Police members responded to a complaint of a shooting and upon arrival on scene the victims were already transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The victim sustained gunshot wounds to the neck and face. According to reports the victims were walking in the road when they heard gunshots going off and were caught in the crossfire. The suspect/s are yet to be arrested,’’ said Sergeant Wesley Twigg, Western Cape police spokesperson.

The suspects are yet to be arrested.

Resident took to the streets on Monday, in protest following the death of the teen. This follows speculation by the community that the teenager was shot by police. Police have however clarified that both teens already sustained gunshot wounds once officers responded to shooting complaints in the area.

The Elsies River Community Policing Forum (CPF) however says at this stage there is no clarity around the circumstances of the incident other than that police responded to reports of a shooting incident.

‘’The Elsies River Community Police Forum notes with concern the death of 12-year-old Devano van Wyk who died of his injuries following a shooting incident in Avonwood, Elsies River. At this stage there is no clarity around the circumstances of this incident other than that police responded to reports of a shooting incident. When they arrived at the scene the police vehicles were attacked and police responded with rubber bullets,’’ said Imraahn Mukkadam, Elsies River CPF Public Relations Officer.

‘’The ERCPF position is that if the young boy was injured by police action, the matter should be investigated by IPID and if police action was unwarranted then the SA Human Rights Commission should also investigate. Our primary concern will always be the safety of our community especially our children. It is unacceptable that our children has to be constantly exposed to such a hostile environment where their lives are at risk from the many active shootings in our area on an almost daily basis.’’

‘’We refuse to accept these deaths as collateral damage or unintentional. We believe every child has a right to a safe environment and that the fact that these senseless killings continues unabated indicates that the state and its law enforcement agencies are failing in their duty to protect and ensure a safe living environment,’’ added Mukkadam.

Mukkadam appealed to the public to not spread misinformation around the incident as it could affect the outcome of the investigation.

‘’We appeal for calm and request that those opportunistic forces who exploit volitile situations for either sensationalism or disruptive agendas without knowing all the facts to refrain from inciting our already traumatised communities.’’

‘’The Elsies River Community Police Forum will keep a watching brief on the police and if neccesary IPID investigation to ensure all the facts involving the death of young Devano van Wyk is brought to the fore,’’ added Imraahn Mukkadam, Elsies River CPF Public Relations Officer.

 

Done By: Mitchum George